Through our grant-making, the Community Foundation of Louisa County provides resources that enrich quality of life projects and initiatives; offers opportunities for people, organizations, and communities to make their ideas realities; identifies and responds to emerging community strengths and opportunities.
Funding Provided by the County Endowment Fund Program
Created in 2004, the County Endowment Program is funded annually by a percentage of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue. These funds are distributed annually to a qualified community foundation in counties that do not have a state-issued gaming license. The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine is our host foundation and is accredited by the National Council of Foundations and qualified by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. This allows the Community Foundation of Louisa County to receive these grant dollars and re-grant them for programs, projects and services enhancing the quality of life in Louisa County.
Who Can Receive a Grant
Community Foundation of Louisa County grants are awarded to charitable organizations that have been designated as tax exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c) 3, schools, or governmental bodies such as cities, libraries or parks serving Louisa County. This includes organizations that serve a portion of Louisa County, the whole county, or a broader area including Louisa County. In any given year, an organization may apply and receive grants for more than one project. However, we prefer that schools consolidate their grant requests into one grant application per principal.
Non-profit organizations that are not 501(c) 3 organizations, a school, or government agency, may still apply. If awarded a grant, they will be asked for a complete financial report and copies of receipts for expenditures related to the project. The organization’s Tax ID number, or the number of a parent organization, must be included on the application form.
What We Look For
In making grant determinations, the Community Foundation of Louisa County Board will focus on the needs of our communities and how these will be met by the projects. The Foundation provides funding for a variety of interest areas including:
- Arts, Culture, & Humanities
- Education, Training, and Research
- Environment and Animals
- Health
- Human Services (Family, Children and Youth)
- Public/Societal Benefit/Community Development
The quality, innovation, thoughtfulness and effectiveness of a project are of more importance than the specific area of interest. Applicants should consider how their projects can foster connections between Louisa County communities and residents, create partnerships with other organizations, promote cooperation, and encourage efficient utilization of community resources.
Particular consideration will be given to projects that exhibit the following characteristics.
- Have clear, logical, realistic plans
- Are led by strong, proven organizations and individuals
- Already have support of key stakeholders (clients, community, intended partners)
- Utilize grant funds to acquire or match funds from inside or outside Louisa County
- Expend the grant funds in Louisa County, when possible.
- Employ an innovative approach to a defined problem
- Have realistic plans for long-term sustainability
- Build an organization’s own capacity to carry out its mission in the future
- Advance the quality of life in Louisa County
What Is Not Funded
- Individuals
- Programs or initiatives where the primary purpose is the promotion of religious doctrine or tenets; however, religious groups are permitted to apply for grants serving a non-religious purpose
- Political action or legislative advocacy groups
How To Apply For a Grant
An easy-to- complete online application available through: Community Foundation of Louisa County Application Portal
Grant Guidelines
- First, carefully review the application.
- Complete all areas of the application including the project budget (example)
- There is no set limit on an organization’s grant request. However, grants usually range from $500 to $5,000
- Save your work as you move from one icon in this online application to the next
- Once all icons are 100% complete, you’ll want to select “Choose Action” towards the upper right-hand corner which will generate a drop-down list. Select “Preview Application” to where you may print a copy for your records or print to PDF to save an electronic copy and share with your proofreaders.
- After you’ve had your complete application proofread to your satisfaction, you’ll want to select the red button in the upper right hand corner titled “Final Review and Submit”
Grant Applications will start being accepted TBD (Fall)
The Deadline for application submissions is TBD
Notification to recipients TBD
Please contact Paula Buckman, Executive Director at 319-868- 4240 for more information or assistance